Chapter 14

“Surprise me?”

“Alrighty.” She walked away again.

“Look,” Francis started once they were alone again. “I’m not here to cause you any trouble, okay?”

Mark fiddled with a napkin he’d picked up and twisted it in his fingers. “I know that. It’s….” He took in a shuddering breath and clearly kept a firm hold of himself.

“So, how was your Thanksgiving?” Francis asked, leaning back in his seat to pull the pressure back from Mark a little.

“I worked, and I’m doing half-shift this morning, too.”

Francis did the math. “Are you on your way home, then?”

“Uh, yeah.” Mark still couldn’t bring himself to look Francis in the eyes.

“Here you go, boys.” Leah set a plate of food and a coffee in front of Mark, and another mug and a piece of pie in front of Francis. “Holler if you want anything else.”

Mark put the napkin aside and picked up his knife and fork, but didn’t seem to know where to start.